Latch bolt guard

ABSTRACT

A horizontally swinging conventional-type door has the usual openable and closable jamb confronting edge provided with a customarily beveled projectable and retractable knob-operated latch bolt. The portion of the latch bolt proximal to the edge beyond which it projects is provided with tamperresisting means, more particularly, diametrically opposite keeper notches. The notched portion of the latch serves to accommodate a manually applicable and removable jimmy-proofing guard which is bodily attachable and detachable and is, after the door is latched, applied from the room side. This guard has means which is releasably and retentively connectible with the keeper notches in a manner to positively secure the latch bolt in a non-retractable bolt setting and latching position. The guard has a handle which makes it readily applicable and removable.

United States Patent [1 1 Wersonick Nov. 20, 1973 4] LATCH BOLT GUARD Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe [76] Inventor: Walter A. Wersonick,2933 San A"0meyHarvey Jacobson Mateo, NE. Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87] 1O [57] ABSTRACT A horizontally swinging conventional-type door has [22] Flled' July 1972 the usual openable and closable jamb confronting [21] Appl. No.: 272,889 edge provided with a customarily beveled projectable and retractable knob-operated latch bolt. The portion 521 US. Cl. 292/150 292/288 292/292 latch pmximal the edge beymd which 292/346 70/418 projects is proyided with tamperresisting means, more 511 Int. Cl. .f. E05c 19/18 pamculafly 'l keeper mtches' [58] Field of Search 292/150, 153, 169.14, z z gfi z if e y c J 292/288 70/416 418 proofing guard which is bodily attachable and detach- [56] References Cited able and is, after the door is latched, applied from the room side. This guard has means which is releasably I V UNITED STATES PATENTS and retentively connectible with the keeper notches in 1,014,583 1/1912 Eisenhart 292/153 a manner to positively ecure the latch bolt in a non- 11165614 12/1915 Mccan" 292/150 retractable bolt setting and latching position. The 31312490 4/1967 McDonald" 292/346 x guard has a handle which makes it readily applicable 3,318,123 5/1967 Piazza 292/150 X and removable- 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures LATCH BOLT GUARD This invention relates, broadly stated, to closure fasteners and, more particularly, to a door having a doorknob controlled projectable and retractable latch bolt altered in that it is provided with diametrically opposite kerfs or notches providing keeper seats for the attachable and detachable tamper-resisting and jimmyproofing inside guard.

Inasmuch as key-controlled knob actuated latch bolts are subject to comparatively easy jimmying many and varied safety devices and guards have been devised and offered for use. Although many of these prior art adaptations well serve the purposes for which they have been perfected and used they, for the mostpart, require extra keys. and are often difficult to install and are consequently expensive. There has long existed a need for a readily applicable and removable simple and economical device. Accordingly, the object of the present invention, broadly stated, is to provide a simple and practical device which is bodily applicable and removable and requires only the formation of keeper notches or kerfs in the peripheral surface of the projectable and retractable bolt.

For background information and to assist in comparing andassessing the nature of the instant invention attention is called to the Prowler Proof Latch Means shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,490 of Apr. 4,1967. Although less pertinent a further glimpse of the state of the art can be had by referring to the Knob-Set Privacy Latch shown in US. Pat. No. 2,574,726 issued Nov. 13, 1-951".

Briefly-the concept'herein disclosed involves using the regular or conventional swinging door and projectable and retractable latch bolt, the bolt being altered by providing. diametrically opposite peripheral surfaces with paired-kerfs. These kerfs provide keeper notches to' accommodate the prongs or fingerson a slidingly applicable and removable fork. This fork constitutes oneof tbe legs of a substantially L-shaped guard, that is a jimmy-proofing guard which is attachable to the bolt from theinside room surface. The guard has means on the interior side, preferably a simple finger knob, which facilit'atesthe step of attaching the guard'when needed and removing it and setting it aside for use at such time as is deemed necessary or desired.

One-object of the present invention is to provide a jimmy-proofing guard which is so simple, practical and easy-to-use that it should, it is submitted, meet with widespread adoption and use. Experience has shown that it satisfactorily achieves a desirable result and constitutes what is believed to be an improved article of manufacture in this field of endeavor.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent'reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part" hereof,

wherein-like numerals refer to like partsthroughout.

FIG; l is-a view in perspective showing a fragmentary portionofa-wall, a door, a doorjamb strip, knoband the improved latch bolt guard and how itis fitted into place and I used.

FIG; Iisasection on the vertical irregular line 22 of FIG. l lo oking in the direction of th e indicating'ar rows.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section on the section line 3 -3 of FIG. 2. v v

FIG. 4 is an enlargedfragmentary perspective view showing the latch bolt in detail and the bodily attachable and detachableguard and how it is constructed and readied for use. I

Referring now to the views of the drawing, and with reference first to FIG. l,'the numeral 6 designates a portion of a wall, the associated inside framemember being denoted at 8 and a horizontally-sw'ingable conventional door at 10. The inside knob is denoted at 12. The outside surface of the door is shown. in FIG. 2 and designated at 14. The edge of the door which is here under consideration is denoted by the numeral '16. This apertured plate 18 wherein the aperture or opening 20 serves to accommodate a portion of the projectable and retractable latch bolt 22. The bolt is provided as usual with a beveled or cam surface 23. In carrying out the principles of the invention diametrically opposite surfaces 24 of the periphery of the bolt are provided with kerfs or keeper notches 26. These can be formed with an ordinary hacksaw (not shown).

The bodily attachable and detachable jimmyproofing guard is denoted, as an entity, by the numeral 28. It is made from flat-faced strap metal. The guard is substantially L-shaped and comprises a first leg which is bifurcated as at 30 to define a fork whose prongs or fingers are denoted at 32. These fingers have rounded blunt ends 34. The bifurcation and fork arms are such that the arms fit intothe keeper notches 26in the man'- ner shown in FIG. 3 to obtain the desired latching and safebuarding result. The bend is denoted at 34 and the remaining'interior relatively short leg is denoted at'36.

These two arms or legs 32 and 36 joined by tbe bend provide the desired one-piece L-shaped guard desired The handling means comprises a simple finger-gripping knob 38 attached by a tapering shank 40 to a centralized portion 42' of the leg 36.

It is clear from the views of the drawing that the only modification or alteration in the latch bolt has to do with the provision of the grooves or keeper notches 36. These can be formed at the time of manufacture or they can be simply sawn by a hacksaw. In any event the keepter notches are on diametrically opposite surfaces and in a position ready to accommodate the prongs or arms 32 of the attachable and detachable safeguarding or the like and to hitch'it in a convenient manner on a' door surface so that it will not become misplaced or lost just when it is most needed.

It is submitted that the device 28 shown and described well serves the purposes for which it has been devised and experimentally and successfully used. The

fact is it is believed that there will soon be created a' public demand for this simple and economical attachment' for the reason that it is practical, reliable, economical and definitely serves the purposes for which it has been devised.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a swinging door having an openable and closable jamb confronting edge provided with a projectable and retractable knob-operated latch bolt provided with tamper-resisting means, and a manually applicable and removable jimmy-proofing guard attachable to said bolt from the inside room surface of said door, said guard having means which is releasably and retentively connectible with the tamper-resisting means on said latch bolt in a manner to positively secure the same in a non-retractable striker plate engaging bolt setting position, said tamper-resisting means comprising a pair of kerfs formed in diametrically opposite peripheral surface portions of a median portion of said latch bolt, said kerfs providing keeper seats, said guard comprising a clip embodying right angularly disposed legs, one leg being bifurcated and providing spaced parallel coplanar fork arms, said fork arms being adapted to straddle said latchbolt and being retentively but releasably seatable in the respectively cooperable keeper seats.

2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said other leg is provided with handling means.

3. vThe combination defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein said handling means comprises a finger-gripping knob having a shank affixed to and projecting from an interior surface of said other leg.

4. For use in conjunction with a door latch bolt whose peripheral surface is provided at a predetermined place with diametrically opposite keeper notches, a bodily attachable and removable jimmyproofing guard, said guard being constructed from flatfaced strap material bent upon itself between its outward and inward ends and being generally L-shaped in form and embodying a first outwardly disposed leg and a right angularly disposed inward leg, said outward leg being bifurcated and providing a fork and said inward leg providing handling means and being provided with a finger-gripping knob.

5. In combination, a door having opposite side faces and a marginal edge defining corresponding marginal edge portions of said side faces, a latch member supported from said door for shifting between projected and retracted positions relative to said edge, a pair of oppositely outwardly opening kerfs formed in opposite side portions of said latch member and opening in opposite directions along said 'rnarginal edge," said kerfs being projected and retracted relative to said marginal edge in response to projection and retraction of said latch member, a lock for preventing shifting of said latch member from a projected positi'on toward said retracted position, said guard comprising a 'pair of sideby-side panel-like substantially coplanar arms including generally parallel adjacent edges, one pair ofcorresponding ends of said arms being free of connections extending therebetween and connecting means extending between the other pair of corresponding arms supporting each arm from the other, said lock being removably supportable from said latch member, when the latter is projected, with said adjacent edges of said arms received in said kerfs and said arms keyed to said latch member and opposing said marginal edge for abutment therewith to prevent shifting of said latch member to said retracted position.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said lock is constructed of sheet material and said arms and said connecting means comprise integral portions of said sheet material.

7. The combination of claim 5, wherein the length of said kerfs, the spacing between said kerfs and the spacing between said adjacent edges is such to also key said lock to said latch member against angular displacement relative thereto about an axis disposed between and at generally right angles relative to said kerfs.

, 8. In combination, a swinging door having an openable and closable jamb confronting edge provided with a projectable and retractable latch bolt, a pair of kerfs formed in diametrically opposite peripheral surface portions of a median portion of said latch bolt, said kerfs providing keeper seats, a jimmy-proofing guard, said guard comprising a clip, said clip being bifurcated and providing spaced parallel substantially coplanar fork arms, said clip being engageable with said latch bolt with said arms straddling said bolt and retentively but releasably seated in said keeper seats, said keeper seats being disposed outwardly of but closely adjacent said jamb confronting edge when said bolt is in a pro jected position relative to said edge, whereby any attempt to retract said bolt would cause said fork arms to abut said jamb confronting edge and prevent further movement of the latch bolt toward its retracted posia: s 4: is 

1. In combination, a swinging door having an openable and closable jamb confronting edge provided with a projectable and retractable knob-operated latch bolt provided with tamperresisting means, and a manually applicable and removable jimmyproofing guard attachable to said bolt from the inside room surface of said door, said guard having means which is releasably and retentively connectible with the tamper-resisting means on said latch bolt in a manner to positively secure the same in a non-retractable striker plate engaging bolt setting position, said tamper-resisting means comprising a pair of kerfs formed in diametrically opposite peripheral surface portions of a median portion of said latch bolt, said kerfs providing keeper seats, said guard comprising a clip embodying right angularly disposed legs, one leg being bifurcated and providing spaced parallel coplanar fork arms, said fork arms being adapted to straddle said latchbolt and being retentively but releasably seatable in the respectively cooperable keeper seats.
 2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said other leg is provided with handling means.
 3. The combination defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein said handling means comprises a finger-gripping knob having a shank affixed to and projecting from an interior surface of said other leg.
 4. For use in conjunction with a door latch bolt whose peripheral surface is provided at a predetermined place with diametrically opposite keeper notches, a bodily attachable and removable jimmy-proofing guard, said guard being constructed from flat-faced strap material bent upon itself between its outward and inward ends and being generally L-shaped in form and embodying a first outwardly disposed leg and a right angularly disposed inward leg, said outward leg being bifurcated and providing a fork and said inward leg providing handling means and being provided with a finger-gripping knob.
 5. In combination, a door having opposite side faces and a marginal edge defining corresponding marginal edge portions of said side faces, a latch member supported from said door for shifting between projected and retracted positions relative to said edge, a pair of oppositely outwardly opening kerfs formed in opposite side portions of said latch member and opening in opposite directions along said marginal edge, said kerfs being projected and retracted relative to said marginal edge in response to projection and retraction of said latch member, a lock for preventing shifting of said latch member from a projected position toward said retracted position, said guard comprising a pair of side-by-side panel-like substantially coplanar arms including generally parallel adjacent edges, one pair of corresponding ends of said arms being free of connections extending therebetween and connecting means extending between the other pair of corresponding arms supporting each arm from the other, said lock being removably supportable from said latch member, when the latter is projected, with said adjacent edges of said arms received in said kerfs and said arms keyed to said latch member and opposing said marginal edge for abutment therewith to prevent shifting of said latch member to said retracted position.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said lock is constructed of sheet material and said arms and said connecting means comprise integral portions of said sheet material.
 7. The combination of claim 5, wherein the lengtH of said kerfs, the spacing between said kerfs and the spacing between said adjacent edges is such to also key said lock to said latch member against angular displacement relative thereto about an axis disposed between and at generally right angles relative to said kerfs.
 8. In combination, a swinging door having an openable and closable jamb confronting edge provided with a projectable and retractable latch bolt, a pair of kerfs formed in diametrically opposite peripheral surface portions of a median portion of said latch bolt, said kerfs providing keeper seats, a jimmy-proofing guard, said guard comprising a clip, said clip being bifurcated and providing spaced parallel substantially coplanar fork arms, said clip being engageable with said latch bolt with said arms straddling said bolt and retentively but releasably seated in said keeper seats, said keeper seats being disposed outwardly of but closely adjacent said jamb confronting edge when said bolt is in a projected position relative to said edge, whereby any attempt to retract said bolt would cause said fork arms to abut said jamb confronting edge and prevent further movement of the latch bolt toward its retracted position. 